Wells Fargo

Senior Lead Credit Risk & Approval Officer

Wells Fargo • $215K — $355K *
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of Credit Risk & Approval experience or equivalent.
  • Extensive experience in commercial real estate lending.
  • Knowledge of GSE multifamily lending products (FNMA, FHLMC, FHA).
  • Understanding of affordable housing and tax credits.
  • Experience with real estate loan workouts is preferred.
  • Familiarity with Wells Fargo's CRE lending philosophy and credit culture.
  • Track record of building relationships and making sound credit decisions.

Responsibilities

  • Monitor and review underwriting and portfolio management performance.
  • Evaluate structuring, pricing, and documentation of large-scale transactions.
  • Make timely credit decisions and maintain portfolio quality.
  • Identify loan approval opportunities and partner on documentation.
  • Manage portfolio trends and risk identification.
  • Ensure accurate reporting and problem loan management.
  • Lead cross-functional initiatives and reinforce credit culture.

Benefits

  • Health benefits
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Paid time off
  • Disability benefits
  • Life insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Commuter benefits
  • Adoption reimbursement
  • Scholarships for dependent children
Full Job Description

About this role:

Wells Fargo is seeking a Senior Lead Credit Risk & Approval Officer in our Commercial Real-estate space to join our Risk team covering Multifamily Capital.


A successful candidate will leverage their experience and knowledge of risk management, business functions, products, and services to provide independent, holistic credit leadership and oversight of the business. This role will provide business loss forecasting as well as reporting for both quarterly business review and relationship concentration. They will monitor and review loan underwriting and portfolio management performance, analyze new business prospects, and support strategic initiatives of the relevant business lines. The role may regularly assist in presenting to senior management on the credit risk position of the business.


The Credit Officer will provide credit oversight for a business unit financing multifamily, senior housing, affordable housing, manufactured housing, student housing, and co-op properties through balance sheet, FNMA, FHLMC (Freddie Mac), and FHA agency products. This individual balances commercial judgment with disciplined risk management to protect portfolio quality while supporting business growth across the covered geographies.

Scope of Coverage includes screening, underwriting, portfolio management, CRE reporting, policy, relationship management with delegated-authority partners, staff management, credit process administration, and ad hoc projects.

 

This role will report directly to Credit Risk & Approval Director.


In this role, you will:


Credit Risk & Approval

  • Serve as a key participant in monitoring and reviewing loans, underwriting, and portfolio management performance for Credit Risk & Approval.
  • Provide in-depth evaluation of structuring, pricing, and documentation across complex, large-scale, and longer-term transactions.
  • Maintain credit quality and portfolio health through timely, well-reasoned credit decisions, recommendations, and approvals.
  • Identify and recommend opportunities to approve loans, and partner on structuring, pricing, and documentation for larger transactions.
  • Bring appropriate internal and external team members into the deal approval process as needed.

 

Portfolio Management & Reporting

  • Identify and manage portfolio trends, risks, and concentrations.
  • Ensure timely, accurate portfolio monitoring and reporting, risk-rating and grading changes/certifications, problem loan management, and non-accrual/loss identification and forecasting.
  • Support business units in preparing for and achieving satisfactory examination outcomes from audits and other regulatory or internal reviewers.

 

Leadership & Culture

  • Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives with broad organizational impact.
  • Reinforce Wells Fargo's credit culture and strengthen team member engagement across the business platform.
  • Train and develop team members to build a strong, diverse leadership pipeline at all levels.
  • Manage staff and administer credit processes for the business unit, including screening, underwriting, portfolio management, and CRE reporting.

 

Business & Market Engagement

  • Provide a commercial perspective that balances market realities with appropriate risk management.
  • Play an active role in customer relationships by attending customer meetings.
  • Build market expertise by engaging with the local real estate community and relevant industry organizations.
  • Collaborate with peers, colleagues, and managers to resolve issues and achieve shared goals; interact regularly with internal and external stakeholders.

 

Judgment & Decision-Making

  • Analyze complex, multi-faceted business, operational, and technical challenges independently.
  • Exercise independent judgment on structuring, pricing, and risk decisions while developing deep functional knowledge of policies, procedures, and compliance requirements.
  • Receive direction from leadership on strategic priorities while operating with a high degree of autonomy day-to-day.


Required Qualifications:

  • 7+ years of Credit Risk & Approval experience or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education


Desired Qualifications:

  • Extensive commercial real estate lending experience highly desired
  • Existing knowledge of GSE multifamily lending products (FNMA, FMAC and FHA).
  • Existing knowledge of affordable housing and associated tax credits (Low Income Housing Tax Credit Investments).
  • Prior real estate loan workout experience.
  • Proven knowledge of the commercial real estate capital markets industry as well as related products and services. 
  • Deep understanding of Wells Fargo’s Commercial Real Estate (CRE) lending philosophy and credit culture. 
  • Confirmed ability to be a thought leader in a large matrix organization.
  • Consistent success in making sound business, credit decisions and ability to ensure team member alignment with business strategies and risk appetite.
  • Demonstrated success making deals and building relationships.
  • Proven success developing, growing, and grooming future Wells Fargo business leaders.
  • Proven ability to work independently and across various LOB in challenging work environments and time frames.
  • Existing knowledge of / experience in the local markets and or business units a plus.


Job Expectations:

  • This position offers a hybrid work schedule.
  • Willingness to work onsite at stated location on the job posting.    
  • This position is not eligible for VISA sponsorship.
  • This position is subject to FINRA Background Screening Requirements, including successful completion and clearing of a background check. Internal transfers are subject to comply with 17 CFR 240.17f-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and FINRA Bylaws, Article III, Section 3, which states that Associated Persons should not be subject to statutory disqualification. Successful candidates must also meet ongoing regulatory requirements including additional screening and are required to report certain incidents.
  • Specific compliance policies may apply regarding outside activities and/or personal investing; affected employees will be expected to provide information to the Wells Fargo Personal Account Dealing Team and abide by applicable policy requirements if hired. Information will be shared about expectations during the recruitment process

Posting Location:

  • 150 E 42nd, New York, NY


Pay Range
 


Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities. $215,000.00 - $355,000.00

Benefits

Wells Fargo provides eligible employees with a comprehensive set of benefits, many of which are listed below. Visit Benefits - Wells Fargo Jobs for an overview of the following benefit plans and programs offered to employees.

  • Health benefits
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Paid time off
  • Disability benefits
  • Life insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Critical caregiving leave
  • Discounts and savings
  • Commuter benefits
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Scholarships for dependent children
  • Adoption reimbursement

Posting End Date:

4 Oct 2026

*Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Careers

Joining Wells Fargo means becoming part of a distinguished financial institution that has been a cornerstone of innovation and leadership in the banking industry. At Wells Fargo, we offer a plethora of job opportunities designed to empower your career growth and development in a diverse and inclusive environment.

Work You’ll Do

At Wells Fargo, you will be part of a team that values diversity and is committed to fostering an inclusive culture. We are looking for professionals who are eager to drive innovation and lead with integrity. Our employees are our greatest asset, and we invest in their professional growth through comprehensive leadership and diversity training programs that are recognized industry-wide.

Explore a Multitude of Career Paths

Whether you're interested in a position in finance, IT, customer service, or management, Wells Fargo has career opportunities in various fields. Our team members benefit from job stability, competitive benefits, and a culture that values and rewards performance and dedication.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with a Wells Fargo internship. Our programs provide invaluable industry exposure, professional skills development, and networking opportunities that often lead to full-time employment offers. Interns at Wells Fargo work on real projects, solve actual challenges, and gain the mentorship of seasoned professionals.

Professional Growth and Development

We believe in nurturing the potential of our employees. Wells Fargo offers robust training programs and resources to help every team member excel in their current roles and prepare for future challenges. Growth at Wells Fargo is not just about climbing the career ladder but expanding your skills and expertise to add value to our team and customers.

Benefits and Rewards

Wells Fargo is committed to the well-being of our team members. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes health care, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. Additionally, we provide unique perks like employee discounts, adoption assistance, and tuition reimbursement.

Join Our Team

Discover the opportunities waiting for you at Wells Fargo by exploring open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for individuals who bring creativity, passion, and a drive to serve our customers.

Stay Connected

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Networking and Innovation

At Wells Fargo, networking and innovation go hand in hand. We encourage our employees to connect across departments and roles to foster new ideas and strategies that lead to groundbreaking solutions.

Empower Your Career

Step into a role at Wells Fargo where your skills will be honed, your achievements recognized, and your career can flourish. We're not just filling positions; we're building leaders who are equipped to navigate the complexities of the financial world. Join Wells Fargo today and be part of a team that’s redefining the future of banking.
Learn more about Wells Fargo
Size
246,577 employees
Market Cap
$155.2 billion
Industry
Net Income
$3.3 billion
Founded
1852
5 Year Trend
-5.9%
NASDAQ

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